Greater Columbus Basketball Legends Association

04/15/2026

Save the date! The GCBLA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is August 29, 2026

04/12/2026

The Board of Directors of GCBLA has learned the memorial event for East High Legend Dwight Lamar is April 25, 2026, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. at Big Walnut Shelter, 5000 E. Livingston Ave. Wear Orange and Black for this "Life Celebrated" memorial.

02/18/2026

The Board of Directors of the Greater Columbus Basketball Legends Association extends our deepest sympathy to the family of Dwight "Bo" Lamar. We celebrate his legacy and honor the GCBLA Hall of Fame recipient on his many awards and accomplishments both on and off the court.

Dwight "Bo" Lamar, a basketball legend who led East to a state title in 1969 and scored nearly 3,500 college points, has died at 74.

01/17/2026

Sending birthday wishes to our president of the Board of Directors, brother Ajamu Brown! We celebrate you and know we appreciate all you do for the GCBLA! Continued blessings to you!

08/20/2025

Dear Friends and Family:
On behalf of the President of the Board Ajamu Brown and the Greater Columbus Basketball Legends Association Board of Directors, we send our deepest condolences to the Jones family for the passing of Larry R. Jones, a pioneering figure in professional basketball and a committed advocate for mentoring and supporting the growth and development of our youth. He transitioned to glory on August 16, 2025, at the age of 82.

Jones, a Columbus legend and a member of the GCBLA Hall of Fame, was a graduate of East High School and the University of Toledo, where he became a three-time Mid-American Conference scoring leader. In 2011, Jones was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.

He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Milwaukee Bucks and was widely known as a scoring talent who helped to define the early years of the American Basketball Association (ABA). He was a stand out with the Denver Rockets in their inaugural season, where he quickly became one of the league’s most feared scorers. During the inaugural year, he averaged 22.8 points per game and earned First-Team All-ABA honors. The following season, he finished third in the league in scoring with 28.4 PPG and was again named First-Team All-ABA selection. Jones was known for his lightning-quick release, fearless drives and clutch performances. He twice scored 52 points in a game for Denver, feats that cemented his status as a fan favorite and a foundational star of the ABA. He was the first ABA player to reach 5,000 career points.

After his ABA and NBA careers, Jones transitioned into coaching at the professional basketball level, including as an assistant with the Detroit Pistons, as coach of the Las Vegas Dealers, the Columbus Minks (professional women's team) and in Europe. Always committed to developing our young people, Jones held free summer basketball camps for Columbus youth.

He served as a state corrections official in Columbus.

We send our deepest condolences to his wife, two daughters, his son, all family members and friends.

The GCBLA salutes and honors Larry R. Jones for the great legacy he leaves with us, for his commitment to community and his dedication to the people he served. Rest in Heaven dear brother. With love and respect.

GCBLA

*Information gathered from Wikipedia. Photo credit to NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and CFL players that passed away Facebook.

03/21/2025

Dear Friends,
It is with great sadness that we share
one of our long time and faithful members, David Reid, recently made his transition from this earth. GCBLA President Ajamu Brown, the GCBLA board of directors and our entire membership send our deepest condolences to his family. Services will be held March 28, services begin at 10 a.m. at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1535 Dewey Ave. 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 🙏🏽

01/07/2025

Wishing you a filled with and - GCBLA

11/27/2024

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, GCBLA is grateful for the ongoing support from friends who recognize the importance of keeping Columbus Basketball Legends in the forefront of our history. During this season of giving thanks, we take this opportunity to again, say thank you for all who joined us at the 2024 GCBLA Hall of Fame Ceremony. Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!

10/15/2024

I will always cherish this interview with Curt Moody. He leaves with us a legacy of love in everything he did.

10/15/2024

View Dean Lampros's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.